Utah's Connor Ingram Win Bill Masterson Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship, dedication
On Wednesday night, the NHL announced that Utah's goaltender Connor Ingram has won the Bill Masterson Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication.
This award is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and given to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
In 2021, Ingram was placed in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program for obsessive-compulsive disorder and lingering depression. This almost forced him to retire, but he battled through and got the help he needed.
Ingram started his NHL career with the Nashville Predators before being claimed off of waivers by the Arizona Coyotes in 2022. Since then, he has been a mainstay in the NHL for the Coyotes, and now he will likely be the starter of the new Utah hockey franchise.
Ingram, Frederik Andersen, and Oliver Kylington were all named finalists for this award. All three have fought through very personal, very hard life-changing situations, and all three of them are now back in the NHL.
This award has always been one of my personal favourites because it shows the younger hockey fans that, one, you can struggle with mental health issues and still be an NHL player. Two, if you need help, whether it be physically, mentally, or emotionally, you don't have to be ashamed of yourself.
Congratulations to Ingram; you are an inspiration to many.